I started to write this earlier then thought better of it, then thought why not. This looks like the biggest set-up of the year to me. First of all, every way I figure the game has Dal winning by 4 or more. Then I have another angle to check whether or not the line is right and guess what, it is. Allowing for the 4 points that Vegas allowed when Shack was out last year this line could be a pk.
First, Shack got on his team-mates after the last game for not putting out. That will have an effect. You've got to remember that these guys played a lot of games without Shack and developed a lot of bad habits. These things don't fix themselves overnight. The one thing that the Lakers can do is play d and I expect them to turn it up tonight. Two things helped Ind beat Dal. A tired Dal team and they exploited the one flaw in the Dal game. Dal is weak as a kitten inside and without LaFrentz it really shows up if anyone wants to take advantage of it. Who better to exploit this weakness than the Lakers?
Now lets look at Dal. First of all, Dal might be my favorite team to watch. What's there not to like. They play the game like it should be played and do it every night. Other than being weak inside, they have one other weakness that will catch up with them sooner or later. Van Exel. When he is on, he is really on but when he's not, he just keeps shooting no matter who else is hot. When Nick is off he is taking shots away from Finley, Nash, or Dirk and one of them is usually hitting. Remember, they made this run without him. Now, LaFrentz is a different story. He gives them help where they need it, on the inside.
On Nov 19 the Lakers were embarrassed at Dal. I don't put much stock in revenge but you might take this into consideration. Dal showed in that game that they can play d when they want to. The Lakers know they can't take Dal lightly and with all the other things that have been going on since Shack came back like, not winning, I look for a real defensive show from LA. They will try to shut down the Dal offence and at the same time go to Shack as much as possible. This game capps under all the way accross the board.
Here's the bottom line. Both teams will play d. I don't think LA will try to out-gun Dal and I look for Dal to use the same game plan that won for them in Dal.
This is a very high profile game and it is the Lakers. That means that I will pass but just for the hell of it, LA and under. Remember, when LA can, they don't and when they can't, they do. That's just the way it is in LA.
Good luck to all of you that play the game.
First, Shack got on his team-mates after the last game for not putting out. That will have an effect. You've got to remember that these guys played a lot of games without Shack and developed a lot of bad habits. These things don't fix themselves overnight. The one thing that the Lakers can do is play d and I expect them to turn it up tonight. Two things helped Ind beat Dal. A tired Dal team and they exploited the one flaw in the Dal game. Dal is weak as a kitten inside and without LaFrentz it really shows up if anyone wants to take advantage of it. Who better to exploit this weakness than the Lakers?
Now lets look at Dal. First of all, Dal might be my favorite team to watch. What's there not to like. They play the game like it should be played and do it every night. Other than being weak inside, they have one other weakness that will catch up with them sooner or later. Van Exel. When he is on, he is really on but when he's not, he just keeps shooting no matter who else is hot. When Nick is off he is taking shots away from Finley, Nash, or Dirk and one of them is usually hitting. Remember, they made this run without him. Now, LaFrentz is a different story. He gives them help where they need it, on the inside.
On Nov 19 the Lakers were embarrassed at Dal. I don't put much stock in revenge but you might take this into consideration. Dal showed in that game that they can play d when they want to. The Lakers know they can't take Dal lightly and with all the other things that have been going on since Shack came back like, not winning, I look for a real defensive show from LA. They will try to shut down the Dal offence and at the same time go to Shack as much as possible. This game capps under all the way accross the board.
Here's the bottom line. Both teams will play d. I don't think LA will try to out-gun Dal and I look for Dal to use the same game plan that won for them in Dal.
This is a very high profile game and it is the Lakers. That means that I will pass but just for the hell of it, LA and under. Remember, when LA can, they don't and when they can't, they do. That's just the way it is in LA.
Good luck to all of you that play the game.
